Wu accepts invitation to testify at Capitol Hill on Boston’s sanctuary city status

By Madalyn Jimiera

Mayor Michelle Wu has formally accepted the invitation to testify before Congress regarding Boston’s “sanctuary city” status. Wu’s office received a letter from the Committee on Government Oversight and Reform on Jan. 27, requesting Wu hand over documents relating to the city’s sanctuary policies. 

Wu maintains a firm stance on Boston’s immigration policies. Last December, the Boston City Council reaffirmed the Trust Act, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents. The letter expressed concerns that sanctuary cities “ hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe.” Wu frequently points to Boston’s safety statistics to counter, which include the lowest murder rates since 1957. 

“In addition to the efforts of the Trump Administration to ensure federal immigration enforcement can proceed unimpeded, Congress must determine whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety,” wrote James Comer, chair of the committee. According to Comer, the Trump administration could cut federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and New York Mayor Eric Adams also agreed to testify in Congress regarding their respective city’s statuses, according to the committee’s social media post. The hearing, originally scheduled for Feb. 11, is now set for Mar. 5. This gives Wu extra time to recover from giving birth to her third child last month.